Heightened Risks for Human Rights Defenders Amid Escalating Hostilities in the Middle East

Front Line Defenders expresses deep concern over the escalating hostilities across the Middle East and their devastating impact on civilians following US and Israeli air strikes on Iran and subsequent retaliatory strikes by Iran against Israel and several Gulf states. In line with our mandate, we are particularly alarmed by the heightened risks faced by human rights defenders across the region, including those arbitrarily detained for their peaceful human rights work.

Human rights defenders play a vital role in documenting human rights violations, supporting affected communities, and promoting accountability during times of crisis. However, periods of armed escalation and conflict often increase the risks they face. Defenders who provide humanitarian assistance, report on violations, or work to protect displaced people and other vulnerable groups may be exposed to heightened threats to their safety and well-being.

Periods of armed escalation and political unrest across the region have historically heightened the risks faced by human rights defenders. Insecurity, weakened rule of law, and the proliferation of armed actors create conditions in which perpetrators can more easily target defenders and evade accountability. Human rights defenders are targeted through killings, arbitrary arrests, criminalisation, and abduction and torture.

“Killing children in schools, targeting patients in hospitals, or prisoners in cells, are these new images set as “norms” by state claiming to respect but perpetrates international law? This decline in humanity and level of brutality should be confronted beyond condemnation across various political lines, whether in Gaza or Iran, whether via bombs of Israel and the United States on Iran, or the Islamic Republic of Iran against its own people, killing thousands of protesters, demanding a better life. The people of Iran have undergone crimes against their humanity twice in the course of less than two months. Enough is enough, we need solidarity beyond geopolitics and national borders. We need to cry in one voice and in solidarity 'no human being should go through this; never again'.”

--Iranian woman human rights defender Leila Hosseinzadeh

Human rights defenders deprived of liberty are particularly vulnerable in such contexts. During periods of conflict, detained defenders may face increased risks of ill-treatment while access to medical care, family contact, legal representation, and independent monitoring may become further restricted. The risk of such violations increases if hostilities occur in close proximity to detention facilities.

Woman human rights defender and Nobel Peace Laureate Narges Mohammadi, currently detained in Zanjan prison, reported severe explosions in close proximity following airstrikes. Golrokh Iraee, Sepideh Gholian, Shima Ghooseh, Sharifeh Mohammadi, Serveh Mohammadi, Mohammad Najafi, Mohammad Reza Faghihi, Reza Khandan, Ahmadreza Haeri, Taher Naghavi, Seyed Mehdi Karimi Farsi, Javad Alikordi, Abolfazl Ranjbari, Hashem Khastar, and Masoud Farhikhteh remain exposed to airstrikes. Their access to basic human needs are further restricted while detained in Tehran, Mashhad, Gilan, and other provinces.

Human rights groups are expressing concern over the deteriorating situation in Evin prison in Iran, where many human rights defenders are currently detained. Based on reports these groups have received from prisoners “the Security Ward 209 has been evacuated” and “anti-riot forces are stationed in the surrounding buildings.” Food distribution has reportedly also been disrupted. On the evening of 2 March 2026, the Israeli military forces reportedly issued an urgent evacuation order to people in the Evin neighbourhood. On 23 June 2025, during the twelve-day Israel-Iran conflict, Israeli forces attacked the Evin compound and Evin prison. Prisoners, including human rights defenders, were evacuated from the prison following the attacks. Iranian officials reported over 70 people killed from this attack on the Evin compound, with and several more reportedly bearing injuries.

In Bahrain, there have been reports of strikes only kilometres from Jau prison where human rights defender Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja continues to serve a life sentence for his peaceful human rights work alongside fellow human rights defender Dr Abduljalil Al-Singace. Front Line Defenders is also concerned over reports of arrests of defenders linked to anti-war protests in Bahrain and calls on the authorities to respect the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

During previous armed conflicts and ongoing escalations in Palestine, Israeli authorities have imposed stricter measures on Palestinian prisoners, including human rights defenders. There is a pressing concern that these defenders face heightened risks of abuse and violations of their rights in the current context.

All parties to the conflict must uphold their obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians and those deprived of liberty. Hospitals, schools, and other sites protected under international humanitarian law, where human rights defenders and other civilians carry out essential work and provide humanitarian assistance, must not be targeted. Authorities should also immediately release detained human rights defenders and ensure they have access to adequate healthcare, contact with family members and legal counsel, and independent monitoring.

Front Line Defenders call on the international community, states, and multilateral organisations to remain attentive to the situation of human rights defenders in the region, raise protection concerns with the relevant authorities and provide concrete support and protection measures for human rights defenders at risk, if necessary through support with temporary relocation and emergency visa support.

Front Line Defenders stands in solidarity with human rights defenders across the region who continue their work under extremely difficult and dangerous circumstances.

Image credit: Iranian Foreign Media Department via Associated Press